Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Cleo and I bought our poppies last week.

Waiting at Cardiff station with poppies to Paddington
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Bethlehem Wales Postmark

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Bethlehem is a tiny farming village in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying in the Tywi Valley northeast of Llandeilo and southwest of Llangadog but on the opposite side of the river from the busy London to Haverfordwest road, the A40.

The centre of the village is approximately in front of the six houses opposite the village hall, with other houses, the Primary School, and a former Post Office scattered up and down the hill.

The Nonconformist chapel after which the village was named is on a side road that follows the western edge of the Brecon Beacons.


Bethlehem is overlooked by Carn Goch, a significant Iron Age hillfort with great heaps of stones remaining from the original ramparts.

Bethlehem is around six miles (10 km) from Dinefwr castle, capital of the pre-Norman Deheubarth kingdom and around six miles (10 km) from the important and majestic Carreg Cennen castle that arose later.


William Morgan translated the Bible into the Welsh language in 1588, and translated the Aramaic name for Christ's birthplace into the name we are familiar with.

The village chapel was given the same name. Previously known as Dyffryn Ceidrich (valley of Ceidrich), the village came to be known by the name of the chapel, probably during the great Welsh Methodist revival in Wales of the 19th century.


Every year, the village hosts a traditional Christmas market.

A major attraction is to post Christmas cards from the village to get a Bethlehem postmark, a practice that first gained national attention in about 1965.
 
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Wednesday 5 Nov 2025

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff

We went to my model railway shop and I bought some rolling stock.

I treated Cleo to some new perfume.

Then onto 'The Central Bar' for a few drinks, I had two pints of Sea Fury.

Then we went to 'The Gatekeeper' and we had something to eat.

I had three pints of Nog, a deep, ruby-red ale which has a rich, chocolatey taste, tucked away with liquorice and treacle.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 251, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZF
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5th November, 2025

London to Scotland trains resume after Cumbria train derailment​

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Landslip at Shap


Train services are running once again following the incident at Shap on Monday.

A suspected landslip caused an Avanti West Coast Pendolino to derail, with passengers being evacuated to a nearby hotel.

No one thankfully was significantly injured but the line has been closed whilst work was carried out to repair rail equipment.

Network Rail teams worked throughout the day and night to repair the equipment, in time for trains to run again..


Phil James, North West Route Director for Network Rail, said: “Services are now running again on this vital section of the West Coast Mainline.

“We thank passengers for the patience and understanding they have shown during the very complex repair programme.

“We have worked closely with train operators to ensure services are running this morning and we would urge you to check with them for the latest information.”


Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, Andy Mellors, said: “I would firstly like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during what has been an extremely challenging time.

“Not only have our staff, industry colleagues and the emergency services been rightly praised by customers for their response to the incident as well as the disruption, but Network Rail as well as other industry partners have also been working hard to restore the infrastructure and clear the route.

“The advice remains that we strongly advise customers continue to check the Avanti West Coast website and National Rail enquiries for the latest travel updates.”
 
5th November, 2025

Cavell Van Returns to Dover after 105 years​

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Southeastern and Port of Dover Remembrance Event


As part of Remembrance Day and Railway 200, the historic Cavell Van returned to Dover.

The 1919-built luggage van brought fallen soldiers back home, and its namesake was Nurse Edith Cavell, who died in the First World War helping soldiers escape.

After her body was carried back in May 1919, this van type became known as a Cavell Van.

A few months later, in July, it transported Captain Charles Fryatt back.

By November 1920, it had made a significant journey carrying an Unknown Warrior, who later represented all who were lost and never identified.
 
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Southeastern and Port of Dover Remembrance Event


Today, over 300 people gathered at Dover’s Cruise Terminal 1 to see the van return to Dover (which had been held at the Kent & East Sussex Railway) after 105 years since it brought back the Unknown Warrior.


“To see the Cavell Van return to Dover after 105 years has been a truly emotional experience. This railway van was used in one of most poignant moments in our railway heritage – it carried home the body of the Unknown Warrior in 1920 who represented those who died in the war and have no known grave.

“As we mark Railway 200, it’s important we remember that railways have always been about more than just moving people and goods; they’ve played a vital role in our nation’s most significant moments.

“We are honoured to have worked with our partners to bring this piece of living history back to where it’s remarkable journey began, and to ensure that the sacrifices of Nurse Edith Cavell, Captain Charles Fryatt, and the Unknown Warrior are never forgotten.”

Steve White, Managing Director of South Eastern Railway
 
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6 Nov 2025

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Wales kick off their Autumn Nations Series with extra trains​


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Cardiff Central


Transport for Wales (TfW) is providing extra trains throughout November to support fans travelling to the Principality Stadium for four consecutive weekends of international rugby.

Wales kicks off their Autumn Nations Series under new coach Steve Tandy just as the busy Christmas period begins, marking one of the busiest travel times of the year.

This busy period will see the train network used by not only rugby fans but also passengers visiting Christmas markets, shopping destinations and various festive events across Wales and the borders.

TfW encourages all passengers heading to Cardiff to plan ahead, check the time of the last train home and allow plenty of time for their journey.

TfW will be working closely with the British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail to help ensure the safety and comfort of all customers travelling.

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Autumn International Queuing System


Georgina Wills, Customer delivery and events planning manager at Transport for Wales said: “This November is going to be one of the busiest Novembers on our network and we’re pleased to be adding extra services to help fans travelling to the Principality Stadium.

“We encourage fans to plan ahead and purchase tickets in advance, for those using our contactless pay as you go system, remember to tap in and tap out - We’ll have staff on the ground to support”

British Transport Police added: “Our message is clear – no one should have to put up with anti-social behaviour. We work closely with Transport for Wales and other partners to ensure that every passenger can travel safely across the network.

“We have uniformed and plain clothed officers patrolling stations right across Wales, so just because you can’t see us doesn’t mean we aren’t there.

“We encourage anyone who experiences anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or disrupts their journey to report it to us by discreetly texting 61016.”


Rachel Heath, Operations Director at Network Rail Wales & Borders said, “Our teams will be working closely with Transport for Wales and British Transport Police throughout the Autumn Nations Series to make sure passengers get where they need to be safely and efficiently.

"We’re proud to play our part in helping fans enjoy the rugby while keeping Cardiff Central moving during one of the busiest times of the year.”

A crowd management queuing system will be in place at Cardiff Central after each match, with queuing for mainline rail services on Central Square and the Valley queues at the rear of the station.
 
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Cardiff Bus Interchange - Satellite locations


Cardiff Bus Interchange will close in line with road closures for each rugby fixture with bus services operating from satellite locations.

Cardiff Queen Street will also close, except for accessible access and passengers who wish to travel to Cardiff Bay.

For more information visit https://tfw.wales/places/events/autumn-nations-series

  • Cardiff Queen Street station will close at 16:30 on 9, 22 and 29 November and will close at 19:00 on 15 November.
  • Cardiff Bus Interchange will close in line with road closures between 11:00 - 19:15 on 9, 22 and 29 November and between 13:30 - 22:00 on 15 November
  • Pre and post-event revenue checks will be taking place at Cardiff Central so please ensure you have purchased your rail ticket before entering a queuing system.
  • A reminder that pay as you go is currently available on TfW and Cross Country services across the South Wales Metro network.
  • If you're using pay as you go payment method simply tap in at your station and then tap out using the dedicated pay as you go revenue lanes when you're exiting at Cardiff Central. Transport for Wales will have pay as you go volunteers helping you tap in and tap out.
  • Saunders Road taxi rank will close and there’ll be a temporary taxi rank at the rear of the Cardiff Central station. The Saunders Road taxi rank will close between 10:45 - 23:59 for all events except for 15 November where it will be closed 13:15 - 23:59.
 
6 Nov 2025

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Film launched to help people access public transport​


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L-R Geraint Morgan, Community Rail Manager at Transport for Wales; Mared Hughes, Project Officer at Innovate Trust; Kurtis Marshall, Assistant Project Officer -
One Planet Innovate Trust; Clare Harries, Community Rail Ambassador, Transport for Wales.


A new short film focused on helping people to use public transport and remove barriers has been launched by Transport for Wales.

Premiered in Penarth, the film is a partnership project with Innovate Trust and highlights the challenges disabled people may encounter on the public transport and how participants have learned new skills to overcome them.

The ‘Confident Traveller’ initiative is available to third sector organisations who support people who may lack confidence in using public transport.

Its objective is to help improve personal health and wellbeing, reduce social isolation and encourage people to use public transport more frequently, and improve their quality of life.


Clare Harries, Community rail ambassador at Transport for Wales said: “The public transport network can open up opportunities for people and this project allows us to remove any barriers people face and make it more accessible for all.

“The aim of the film is to demonstrate the support that is available to people wishing to travel by train and it’s been great to work with Innovate Trust to help provide the confidence people need to access public transport.”


Mared Hughes, Project Officer for Innovate Trust added: “Using public transport can be overwhelming for people with learning disabilities.

“Working with Transport for Wales on the Confidence to Travel Scheme has helped individuals from Innovate Trust gain confidence and independence.”

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Community rail penarth


  • Formed in 1967, Innovate Trust is a supported living provider, delivering a person-centred approach to community support. They work with people with learning disabilities, autism, and other additional needs to achieve independence the way they want.
  • The film will be used by Innovate Trust to show their members, by Transport for Wales as part of its staff training and at presentations delivered by its Community Rail team who lead on the ‘Confident Traveller’ initiative in communities across Wales and Borders.
  • In addition to experiencing journeys by train, the film will show participants learning about the assistance that is available to help plan journeys, how to buy tickets and what support can be provided at stations and on trains.
  • Organisations previously engaged with include Veterans, mental health charities, people living with sight loss, hearing loss and Dementia and young carers.
 
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